Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-12-16

bran and salt every day, with two quarts
bf corn-meal, and all the good hay he will
Eat. a shed 80 feet by 20, divided into
20 pens eight by five feet each, holding
wo animals, will accommodate 40 head
of vearling steers. By removing the horns
he animals will not quarrel and will do
much better New York Times.
PROF. COLLIER AND HIS WORK.
Prof. Peter Collier made many warm
Friends among the farmers while men,
Der of our State board of agriculture, and
they will be glad to see the following,
from Geneva On. W paper:
DR.. Peter Collier, elected last week to
succeed DR.. Sturtevant, as director of the
New York State agricultural experiment
station, it may be hoped will prove a
most worthy successor. He is best known
to the public, doubtless by his inestimable
service in behalf of the sorghum sugar
Industry that in the present year has
emerged from doubt and gained standing
as an assured success. But his fitness
does not rest alone upon Investigations
that have opened the way to economical
production of sugar in this country
whereby an important industry may soon
be extended to more than S100000,00
value Of annual products. AS teacher
and original Investigator in other branch
les of agriculture his achievements have
bought recognition that constitutes title
ito confidence in the capable discharge of
duties upon which he is soon to enter.
DR.. Collier was born in this State, and
his parents still live in Madison county.
His education was had at Yale, where he
was graduated with honors and became
an instructor of chemistry under Profess
sor Silliman with whom he remained six
years. Then he accepted professorship
in the University of Vermont, where he
became also secretary of the State board
of agriculture and originated the meth
DDS of agricultural teaching now in the
high tide of popular favor as Farmers
Institutes" He remained in Vermont
about ten years serving usefully in the
State board of agriculture and his pro-
fessorship and was then called to Wash
ington to take charge of the chemical
division of the department of agricul
ture. When in this position his attention
was directed to the capabilities of sor-
ghum as sugar-producing plant and he
at once began exhaustive studies of the
many varieties of sorghum to determine
their values as a source of sugar. This
labor was attended by many difficulties
AT first it was almost impossible to secure
appropriations necessary to prosecution
of the work, but with determined persis-
tence he made the most of resources at
command and soon entered upon impor-
tant discoveries that at the time gave
promise of great value. In all this he
was warmly supported by Gen. VIM. G.
lie Due, then commissioner Ofagriculture,
but his work was assailed by interested
persons, and its usefulness impaired by
doubts that made it necessary to secure
competent examination under succeed
ing administration hostile to the promis-
ing industry. Investigation was there
fore ordered by Congress and committee
of the national academy of sciences was
deputed the work. Most careful and
protracted examination was made and in
every detail results obtained by DR.. Col
lier were verified and reported to Con-
gress by the highest body known in sci
entitic Investigations body made by law
the adviser of the government in all mat
tiers of science. With this report was a
recommendation that farther appropra-
ton be made for the work of investiga-
ton and that it be continued under the
direction of DR.. Collier. Congress per-
formed its part, but DR.. Loring, who had
succeeded Gen. lie Due, refused support
and at last dismissed the chemist whose
work had been approved most warmly by
the national academy of sciences.
The country is familiar with what fol-
lowed until the present year has wit
messed production of sugar from sorghum
at the rate of | 200 to 800 pounds to the
acre, besides ten to twelve gallons of
molasses. and this on IA scale of such
magnitude that daily production, in a
single place has been many tons.
Rudely torn from his work Dr. Collier
sought relief in kindred task. writing a
book appropriately entitled sorghum,
its Culture and Manufacture EcOnomical-
ly Considered as Source of Sugar, Syrup
and Fodder" The book was brought
out by its publishers, Robert Clarke & Co.
Cincinnati, in 1884, but under prevailing
discouragments brought by the depart.
ment of agriculture was prevented from
obtaining extended sales. Meantime Dr.
Collier continued to reside in Washing,
ton, and as opportunity offered contribu
ted valuable aid to persons engaged il
sorghum culture and manufacture unit
he is able now to see realization of hopes
in the unqualified success of new in
dustry that must soon become very great
in its economic value. TO his successful
labors in the broad field of agriculture
science DIR. Collier owes, without doubt
the high distinction conferred by al
election as director of the New Yorl
agricultural experimental station,
position much more desirable than any
other of like character i'm this country
He has already accepted the appointment
and will enter upon its duties the frs
day of December next.
1t is proper to observe that the appoint
ment was made entirely without solicta
ton, a spontaneous recognition of fitness
an agreeable surprise to DR.. Collier. wh'
had not sought by a single word, spokel
or written, to secure the favor which h
accepts as the highest boon of generou
fortune offering employment for whicl
his whole life and training have tende,